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10th July 2020, 05:45 AM
#71
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
Ben, you took up the challenge and won.
Obviously you have your heart set on going to sea and well done for that.
Stick with it even though at times you may well wonder why am I doing this.
At the end of your time you will come to understand it was the best choice in life you ever made.


Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller

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10th July 2020, 08:26 AM
#72
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
#71
I still recall starting college and all the kit they had that I had never seen before, on some occasions I would wangle entry into Brigham & Cowan dry dock if there was a Shell tanker in and going down below was fascinating, the only thing was, it was shutdown, never crossed my mind what it was like once flashed up - until - joined first ship in Hamburg, boiler suit on then opened door to top of the engine room (old H boat) and - WHAM- the heat, noise and smell hit me, and my first thought - "WTF have I let myself in for".
As it happens, it didn't put me off but I still remember that first thought.
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10th July 2020, 08:49 AM
#73
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
On the company’s list of must haves to go in the stupid sea chest was two white boiler suits which I never wore as were superfluous to requirements on deck. Sold them to an engineer. The sea chest don’t remember what happened to that , but a seabag was more suitable. Where could you stow a seachest in a 10 ft x 10 ft. Cabin designed for 4 people ? Bought a wind up record player can only remember having one record for Eartha Kitt singing “ Those were the days my Friend “ Like Ivan the rag bag was my source of work gear, but unlike Ivan I never found any go ashore gear had to rely on the night on board apprentice and borrow his. Could be embarrassing especially when had to roll up the trousers legs 6 inches. JS
Last edited by j.sabourn; 10th July 2020 at 09:00 AM.
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10th July 2020, 10:48 AM
#74
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.

Originally Posted by
j.sabourn
Like Ivan the rag bag was my source of work gear, but unlike Ivan I never found any go ashore gear
ooh! you are awful, but I like you!
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10th July 2020, 03:03 PM
#75
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
I think the worst task for most deck hands at sea would have been painting the lower forepeak with silvering paint the gear i wore doing that job was my birthday suite especially if you where any where in the tropics. I have seen guys literally collapse with the heat and sweat that would run from you doing 30 minutes about. Terry.
{terry scouse}
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10th July 2020, 10:46 PM
#76
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
#75..That’s what you used to take salt tablets for by the handful Terry. Today the chemist wants a prescription from a doctor before he will sell you. There was always salt tablets on the saloon and messroom tables on the ships I was on. The lime juice was also out the first week after sailing as was the last of the fresh fruit and vegetables , no refrigeration in the early days. As for fresh water think most seamen bad cement lined stomachs. As for ear muffs and other such luxury’s you Were.lucky to get a bit of cotton wool .cheers JS
Last edited by j.sabourn; 10th July 2020 at 10:53 PM.
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10th July 2020, 11:06 PM
#77
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
if you where any where in the tropics. I have seen guys literally collapse with the heat and sweat that would run from you
Yes Terry similar experiences when Serving two sitting of Fourteen Bloods through the Tropics , with full button up Gear on, it was at times hell in those Dining Areas ,and i too have seen Stewards drop with heat exhaustion.
The Lime Juice was always on hand though for replenishment, and we were given the awful but necessary Salt Tablets each Morning, if we wanted them.
Hard but oh such enjoyable days , where have they gone! Sad!!
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11th July 2020, 05:18 AM
#78
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
Quite amazing when you think about those salt tablets.
We took them without question as we considered them to be good.
Now al the scientists and doctors keep telling us to cut down on salt intake.
Well that is for now until some other guy says we need them...........again.


Happy daze John in Oz.
Life is too short to blend in.
John Strange R737787
World Traveller

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11th July 2020, 07:02 AM
#79
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
Ah! the lime juice, very good for bleaching the wooden taffrails after sanding and prior varnishing, brought out grain of the wood very much like wood restorer today, although I wouldn't advocate drinking the latter
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11th July 2020, 09:13 AM
#80
Re: Merchant Navy College Assignment.
Indeed Ivan, Personally i couldn't drink the stuff i once saw a second cook scrubbing down the galley work tops and boards with the stuff. As for the salt tablets yes i remember every morning in the tropics the chief steward would hand them out as you went out on deck and check that you had swallowed them i suppose looking back those little brown bombers could well have saved our lives. Terry
{terry scouse}
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